President Obama lays out the conditions to Libyan dictator, terrorist, and mass-murdering madman (remember the Lockerbie bombing? I certainly haven’t forgotten) Moammar Qaddafi:
Now, once more, Moammar Qaddafi has a choice. The resolution that passed lays out very clear conditions that must be met. The United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Arab states agree that a cease-fire must be implemented immediately. That means all attacks against civilians must stop. Qaddafi must stop his troops from advancing on Benghazi, pull them back from Ajdabiya, Misrata, and Zawiya, and establish water, electricity and gas supplies to all areas. Humanitarian assistance must be allowed to reach the people of Libya.
Let me be clear, these terms are not negotiable. These terms are not subject to negotiation. If Qaddafi does not comply with the resolution, the international community will impose consequences, and the resolution will be enforced through military action.
Yes, there are legitimate concerns about who makes up the Libyan opposition and what might come after Qaddafi is gone. There are also concerns about the cost and efficacy of possible military operations against Qaddafi’s forces. Just keep in mind, though, that Qaddafi’s military is decrepit and ineffective — except at repressing its own people. Also keep in mind that both the Arab League and the U.N. Security Council have now authorized the use of force, with the exception of ground forces, and other sanctions against Qaddafi’s regime. Finally, note that there’s a broad, multi-national coalition arrayed against Qaddafi, who for his part has almost no supporters anywhere in the world (unless you want to count crazy Hugo Chavez of Venezuela). Thus, the preconditions for action against Qaddafi’s forces that Wes Clark and others (see video of Jim Webb on the “flip”) have laid out appear to have been largely – if not fully – satisfied. Now, it’s time for the “end game” for Moammar Qaddafi. Good riddance.
Sign up for the Blue Virginia weekly newsletter
